Kalispell’s backyard national park, Glacier National Park, is one of the state’s must-visit destinations. With 1 million acres of glacial-carved terrain, the park is open year-round and is home to some of the most stunning landscapes in the United States. From downtown Kalispell, Glacier National Park is a scenic 32 miles from the park’s west entrance in West Glacier, Montana. With easy access and our convenient location, many visitors opt to stay in our mountain town and explore the park at their own pace, all while enjoying what Kalispell has to offer, from tasty restaurants to guided activities and a hopping downtown.
Over the last few years, the National Park Service has been testing a pilot program to help manage congestion and visitation in Glacier National Park. And while the program has seen a few variations, Glacier National Park recently announced its plans for 2025.
If you’re planning on visiting Glacier National Park in 2025, here’s what you need to know.
1. The Going-to-the-Sun Road
New for 2025, Glacier National Park is implementing a pilot vehicle reservation program that includes timed entry beyond the Apgar Village area between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. from June 13-September 28, 2025. After entering the park during their reserved time block, visitors may stay in the park for the duration of the day. Reservations are valid for one day only.
Visitors may enter the west entrance before 7 a.m. or after 3 p.m. without a reservation, but will still need an entry pass (available online or at the gate). Like last year, Apgar Village will be accessible without a reservation; keep in mind that Apgar Village is a popular place to visit – please practice your patience.
Good to Know: No vehicle reservations are needed to enter the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the east side’s St. Mary entrance.
2. The North Fork
Access to Glacier National Park’s North Fork (which is home to Bowman Lake and Kintla Lake) will require one timed entry reservation per vehicle from June 13-September 28, 2025 between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Vehicle reservations for the North Fork are valid for one day.
Good to Know: No timed entry vehicle reservation is needed before 7 a.m. or after 3 p.m. for the North Fork. Plus, Polebridge is located outside of the park’s boundaries; no reservation is needed to visit the town.
3. Many Glacier
Construction will be taking place in Many Glacier in 2025, and there will be no public access in the Swiftcurrent area during the summer. This means there will be limited parking in Many Glacier; more information will be available from the National Park Service soon.
4. Two Medicine and St. Mary
No vehicle reservations are needed for the Two Medicine Valley or the St. Mary entrance of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. You will, as always, need an entry pass.
Other Things to Know / Reminders
-A park entry pass is always needed, regardless of when a vehicle reservation is required.
-Individual timed entry reservations per vehicle are needed for the west entrance of the Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork.
-All vehicle reservations are valid for ONE DAY.
-Visitors can access the free shuttles along the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the St. Mary Visitor Center or Apgar Village Visitor Center.
-Reservations are available through two booking windows. The first will begin approximately 120 days in advance, with the first ticket block going on sale February 12, 2025 at 8 a.m. Mountain Time. The second booking window will have reservations available for next-day entry, starting June 12, 2025. (For example, if you plan to visit on July 2, a block of reservations will be available at 7 p.m. Mountain Time on July 1.)
-Tickets can be purchased on Recreation.gov. Get the full rundown directly from NPS here.
-Visitors are encouraged to visit outside of peak hours, which are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Be prepared for waits, especially at popular areas like Logan Pass and Apgar Village.
-If you have activities, lodging or tours with confirmed bookings within a specific area of the park where a vehicle reservation is required, no additional vehicle reservation is needed. However, if you have a tour booked along the Going-to-the-Sun Road and want to visit the North Fork, you will still need a reservation for the North Fork for the date you’d like to visit. Another important note: If you are staying in Apgar Village, you will still need a timed entry reservation to access the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the west side.
-Vehicle reservations are not needed for the following areas of the park: Cut Bank, Two Medicine and St. Mary entrance to the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Have additional questions regarding planning your visit to Kalispell and Glacier National Park in 2025? Call us at 406-758-2811.
Don’t have a vehicle reservation for Glacier National Park? Here are 7 Ways to Play in the Park Without One.
